The MTA sucks a lot of the oxygen out of the room in Albany during state budget season, but upstate transit needs significant investments as well.

It’s a fight that state Sen. Jeremy Cooney is ready to engage in as state Senate Transportation Committee chairman.

The Rochester Democrat discussed his request for a 15% increase in public transit with Capital Tonight, as well as his proposal to study high-speed rail and the hurdles facing the Kensington Expressway.